Albena Resort joined the fight against childhood obesity

Albena Resort joined the fight against childhood obesity. Within the upcoming year, the complex will organize the 10th anniversary edition of the "School for Health". The initiative, focused to children, parents and teachers, includes three 6-day specialized camps, the first of which during the spring school vacation. In September, the resort will also host the 32nd European Congress on Childhood Obesity, gathering together specialists all over Europe. This was announced in the framework of a joint press conference given by Krasimira Stoyanova - executive director of Albena Tour Plc, Assoc. Dr. Teodora Khandzhieva-Durlenska - chairperson of the Bulgarian Association for the study of obesity and related diseases, its honorary chairperson Assoc. Dr. Svetoslav Khandzhiev, Prof. Arman Postadzhiyan - Chairman of the Society of Cardiologists in Bulgaria, and Prof. Dr. Mihail Okoliyski - representative of the World Health Organization in Bulgaria. According to current WHO data, 61.7% of Bulgarians are overweight or obese, while at the European level the indicator is 58.67%. Only in 5 other countries in Europe the percentage is higher - in the Czech Republic, Greece, Israel, Malta and Great Britain.

"We can achieve a qualitative change in the direction of improving the health of children and young people only if we unite the efforts of specialists, media, governmental and non-governmental organizations and business representatives. That is why we have been partnering with Albena Resort for 10 years now, organizing the "School for Health" initiative. Within the framework of the educational camps, we perform anthropometric measurements regarding body mass index, fat tissue and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. We present useful information about eating habits in an interesting and accessible way, take the advantage of the healthy microclimate and the healing mineral water, carry out field treatment and do physical exercises. In this way we are raising a healthier Bulgarian society", said Dr. Khandzhiev, who is also one of the fathers of the thesis that the Balkan diet is a major factor in the health status of the peoples of the peninsula.

According to the representative of the WHO, Prof. Okoliyski, eating habits are extremely important in prevention - the consumption of quality meat, fruits and vegetables, drinking pure water and natural juices without added sugar, as well as limiting high-energy foods with saturated fats.

"Offering balanced and naturally pure food is among Albena's main competitive advantages. We grow over 60% of the fruit and vegetables for our restaurants ourselves, raise over 400 Black Angus calves, have our own brand of natural juices, and honey from our bees is among our guests' favorite desserts. As the first and only European Resort of Sports, the possibilities for practicing professional and amateur sports are practically unlimited," said Krasimira Stoyanova. She added that the "School for Health" initiative is also supported by the Bulgarian Teachers' Union, which is also committed to the prevention of this socially significant disease.